Indonesian Political, Business & Finance News

Archive: 8 May 2000

52 articles found

Tangerang blast puzzle police

Tangerang blast puzzle police JAKARTA (JP): Tangerang Police detectives submitted to the National Police forensics laboratory (Puslabfor) fragments of a schoolbag which exploded on Thursday evening in front of the Mitra supermarket in Telaga Sari village, Cikupa.The 6 p.m.

Hyacinth turns a Yogyakartan into millionaire

Hyacinth turns a Yogyakartan into millionaireBy Kartika Bagus C. YOGYAKARTA (JP): If you think that water hyacinths are useless, you are dead wrong. Baruna, a 40-year-old Yogyakartan has become a millionaire thanks to his use of the plant.

East Asia agrees to currency accord

East Asia agrees to currency accord CHIANG MAI, Thailand (AP): A landmark currency cooperation agreement between 13 East Asian nations to fight future economic crises was welcomed cautiously on Sunday by the United States, which shot down more ambitious proposals by Japan in 1997 to create an Asian...

Short term bullish view at JSX likely

Short term bullish view at JSX likely JAKARTA (JP): The upward movement in share prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) is likely to continue this week on positive developments on the country's political and economic fronts, equity analysts say.

Tourist guides set up rival body

Tourist guides set up rival body KUTA, Bali: The Indonesian Reform Tourist Guides Committee (KPRI) was established here on Sunday, shrugging off protests from the government-sanctioned Indonesian Tourist Guide Association (HPI) and the provincial administration.

Militant Islamic group

Militant Islamic group If I'm not mistaken, it was another Islamic militant group who staged a demonstration in front of Merdeka Palace last month. The Jakarta Post has referred to the wrong group on its front page on May 2, 2000 titled Gus Dur slams abuse of religion by certain groups.

U.S. trade mission due here

U.S. trade mission due here JAKARTA (JP): Representatives of Singapore-based American companies will embark on a "business mission" in Indonesia to explore investment opportunities.The mission, supported by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) and the American Embassy in Singapore, is...

Motives behind slanderous lies?

Motives behind slanderous lies? I am sure that former minister of investment and enterprises development Laksamana Sukardi is devastated over the public character assassination by President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur).

Police called on to hand over suspects

Police called on to hand over suspects TANGERANG (JP): The local prosecutors office strongly urged the police on Saturday to immediately hand over two drug case suspects, believed to have been freed by police officers for unknown reasons.

Indofood gets AA+ rating

Indofood gets AA+ rating JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed food producer PT Indofood Sukses Makmur has received an AA+ rating, with a stable outlook, from state rating agency PT Pemeringkat Efek Indonesia (Pefindo).

S&P might upgrade RI rating

S&P might upgrade RI rating CHIANG MAI, Thailand (Dow Jones): Standard & Poor's Corp. could upgrade Indonesia's debt ratings within the next few months, according to an official at the ratings firm.Takahira Ogawa, the chief Asian sovereign credit analyst at S&P, told a seminar Sunday that...

Social responsibility in business

Social responsibility in business This is the first of two articles on business responsibility by Mayling Oey-Gardiner and Peter Gardiner, both social scientists and principal investigators in a factory human rights audit for the Reebok shoe producer, to be referred to in the following edition.

Death toll in Sulawesi quake reaches 38

Death toll in Sulawesi quake reaches 38 MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): More bodies were found on Sunday in areas hit by Thursday's earthquake, and several people made homeless by the quake in Central Sulawesi died of disease, bringing the death toll to 38.

Alleged thief beaten to death

Alleged thief beaten to death BOGOR (JP): An unidentified man was beaten to death by angry locals when he allegedly tried to snatch a motorbike belonging to Mohamad Ashari, a resident of Babakan Rawa Haur in Sentul village on Saturday.

Modest school delights poor Pedongkelan children

Modest school delights poor Pedongkelan children JAKARTA (JP): Unlike many girls her age, Titi, 11, does not begin the day by eating breakfast and getting ready for school.Titi instead spends her mornings helping her mother take care of her baby brother in the family's five-by-six meter tin-roofed,...

State prosecutors to visit West and East Timor

State prosecutors to visit West and East Timor JAKARTA (JP): A team of state prosecutors investigating last year's violence in East Timor will visit the territory and the neighboring Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara sometime in the middle of this month, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman...

Military chief admits 'dead or alive' order

Military chief admits 'dead or alive' order BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Chief of Lilawangsa Military overseeing North Aceh, Pidie, and West and East Aceh Col. Syafnil Armen admitted here on Saturday that he ordered his troops to capture Islamic religious teacher Tengku Bantaqiah and his followers "dead...

City Hall warns defiant parking lot operators

City Hall warns defiant parking lot operators JAKARTA (JP): City administration is to send its first warning letters on Monday to stubborn private parking lot operators, who disparage the city regulation by continuing to charge higher parking fees than the official rate, officials said on Friday.

Abdurrahman Wahid warns off detractors

Abdurrahman Wahid warns off detractors JAKARTA (JP): Political tempests continue to hit the government of President Abdurrahman Wahid, who claimed on Saturday that there were continuous attempts by certain ambitious individuals to discredit him and his government.

Midplaza ready with fiber optic network for broadband access

Midplaza ready with fiber optic network for broadband access JAKARTA (JP): To offer the best service to its tenants in this information era, Midplaza, an office-building complex located on Jl. Sudirman, has introduced its Fiber Optic Communications System.

Pickpockets on buses

Pickpockets on busesFrom NeracaRecently I took a Mayasari Bakti bus heading along the Pulogadung-Kampung Rambutan route.As we approached Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan, a well dressed man intentionally stepped on my foot, which shocked me as it was quite painful.

Consumer confidence slips in April: Danareksa survey

Consumer confidence slips in April: Danareksa survey JAKARTA (JP): After two months of consecutive gains, consumer confidence dropped in April due to continuing infighting among the country's political elite, according to a monthly consumer confidence survey conducted by state PT Danareksa...

To meritorious teachers

To meritorious teachersFrom Pikiran RakyatI have five children, all university graduates, and four grandchildren. Let me suggest a few things to the teachers now struggling to improve their living conditions.

Government to issue regulation on autonomy soon

Government to issue regulation on autonomy soonBy Ridwan M. Sijabat JAKARTA (JP): The government is set to issue this week a much awaited regulation which will delineate authority in regional autonomy in 2001.

RI pledges to cut spending, optimize tax collection

RI pledges to cut spending, optimize tax collection CHIANG MAI, Thailand (DPA): In the face of mounting public debt, Indonesia plans to rein in budget spending on large-scale civil projects this year while improving its tax collection, Indonesian Finance Minister Bambang Sudibyo said on Sunday.

Absolute democracy 'can destroy UMNO'

Absolute democracy 'can destroy UMNO' KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Absolute democracy cannot be practiced by Malaysia's ruling United Malaysia's National Organization (UMNO) because it could ruin the party, a report quoted Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as saying on Sunday.

RI must abandon fiscal stimulus, pursue fiscal sustainability: WB

RI must abandon fiscal stimulus, pursue fiscal sustainability: WB JAKARTA (JP): Shackled by the exploding public debt level, the new government of President Abdurrahman Wahid is being advised by the World Bank to pursue fiscal sustainability to ensure a durable and sustained economic recovery.

Ship sinks off Ambon waters, 36 dead

Ship sinks off Ambon waters, 36 dead AMBON, Maluku (JP): At least 36 people died on Sunday when the Masnait ship sank off the waters of Ambon island, officials said.Rescue workers and local residents saved 85 passengers, who were then evacuated to the police station in Telahu village and its...

Police arrest boxer over alleged taxi robbery attempt

Police arrest boxer over alleged taxi robbery attempt JAKARTA (JP): Mampang police detectives of South Jakarta arrested a local boxer on Saturday evening for allegedly attempting to rob a taxi driver at dagger-point on Jl. Mampang Prapatan V.South Jakarta Police chief of detectives Maj.

Protecting rare animal species

Protecting rare animal species Thank you for your recent feature articles on two of the exotic animal species found in Indonesia.The temporary capture of a living specimen of the rare Sulawesi civet was quite remarkable.

Low-class theaters resort to erotic films to lure moviegoers

Low-class theaters resort to erotic films to lure moviegoers JAKARTA (JP): Watching a movie at a low-class theater might be a boring experience for those not interested in the kind of film that showcases an abundance of nudity and sex.

More rain to come, BMG official predicts

More rain to come, BMG official predicts JAKARTA (JP): Expect more rain. That's the prediction for the coming week in many areas across the country.The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) head of public relations, Waan Tarmin, said that the current bout of wet weather was a natural phenomenon...

Portuguese reporters denied entry

Portuguese reporters denied entry ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: Belu Police in East Nusa Tenggara refused entrance to two Portuguese journalists because they did not posses permits from the local immigration office.

Gus Dur, Marubeni boss to decide Chandra Asri's fate

Gus Dur, Marubeni boss to decide Chandra Asri's fate JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid and the president of Japanese giant trading house Marubeni Corp. will soon meet here to discuss the fate of financially troubled petrochemical giant PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Center, a senior minister...

Soccer body to question suspected drug users

Soccer body to question suspected drug users JAKARTA (JP): The disciplinary commission of the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) will invite three players who are allegedly consuming shabu-shabu (crystal methamphethamine) for verification next Saturday in Malang, East Java.

Kartini binti Karim gains freedom, returns home

Kartini binti Karim gains freedom, returns home JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian migrant worker Kartini binti Karim, who was once sentenced to be stoned to death for suspected adultery, has returned home to freedom.

Merpati books Rp 97.7 billion in profit after two years in red

Merpati books Rp 97.7 billion in profit after two years in red SURABAYA (JP): State-owned domestic air carrier PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines booked a pretax profit of Rp 97.9 billion (US$12.3 million) last year, a turnaround from a net loss position in the previous two years.

Masked mobs torch kiosks, discotheque

Masked mobs torch kiosks, discotheque BOGOR (JP): A group of 100 masked-men brandishing sharp weapons and wooden sticks raided and burned nine dimly lit kiosks and a discotheque at Kampung Kemang and Kampung Kirey at noon Sunday.

Investors may pull out of RI over worker protests: Sofyan

Investors may pull out of RI over worker protests: Sofyan BANDUNG, West Java (JP): At least 20 foreign manufacturing companies in Jakarta and West Java may pull out of Indonesia over concerns with worker demonstrations, Indonesian Business Council chairman Sofyan Wanandi said on Saturday.

Dotcom euphoria

Dotcom euphoria Hardly a day goes by in Indonesia now without a news announcement of a new dotcom company, a new web or portal site, or a new Internet Service Provider opening shop. Although a late starter compared to most other Asian countries, Indonesia has finally been caught up in the dotcom...

Police arrest five men for train derailment attempt

Police arrest five men for train derailment attempt PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Five people, including three teenagers, were arrested on Friday for an attempt to derail a business-class passenger train plying an intercity route, an official has said.

More police for tourists

More police for tourists DENPASAR: The local police increased the size of its Tourist Police force and improved their facilities in a bid to curb crimes committed by foreigners on the island, an officer said on Saturday.Bali Police spokesman Lt. Col. Y.

Where to go in Jakarta:

Where to go in Jakarta:Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition by Kelompok Isola Bandung, Galeri TC, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 24A, South Jakarta (Phone: 7194278), 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until May 20. * Painting Exhibition: Pelepasan Energi by Sulan, at Indo Steak Restaurant, Menara Kadin, 2nd fl, Jl. H.R.

Ramos-Horta urges total review of Timor Gap treaty

Ramos-Horta urges total review of Timor Gap treaty SYDNEY (AFP): East Timorese leader Jose Ramos-Horta called on Sunday for Australia to waive its rights to millions of dollars in oil royalties under a contentious treaty drawn up with Indonesia.

Removing rearview mirrors

Removing rearview mirrorsFrom KompasI've had the unpleasant experience of my rearview mirrors being stolen four times. On the first three occasions, criminals forcefully removed them from my Mercedes in broad daylight.The fourth occasion happened on Jl.

Apjati rejects decree on new minimum capital

Apjati rejects decree on new minimum capital JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Labor Export Companies (Apjati) has rejected a 1999 ministerial decree requiring labor export companies to have Rp 1 billion in minimum capital.

Local FM Hamdani outclasses GM Antonio at JAPFA Open

Local FM Hamdani outclasses GM Antonio at JAPFA Open JAKARTA (JP): FIDE Master (FM) Hamdani Rudin of West Java managed a surprise defeat of Grand Master (GM) Rogelio Antonio of the Philippines in the fifth round of the JAPFA International Open chess tournament at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur...

Observers condemn action of Banser

Observers condemn action of Banser JAKARTA (JP): Media organizations and observers condemned on Sunday the exaggerated action of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) civilian guards in Surabaya, who rallied at and occupied the Jawa Pos daily's offices for reporting alleged corruption practices by executives of the...

IFC restructures RI firm

IFC restructures RI firm JAKARTA (JP): The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a subsidiary of the World Bank, has finished restructuring the finances of viscose rayon producer PT South Pacific Viscose to help maintain the company's position as a major supplier in Asia.

The ISP is your gateway to the Net

The ISP is your gateway to the Net Imagine you are arriving at the international airport of an exotic country. Hordes of tourists disembark at the same time as you. Unfortunately, at the passport control area, only three gates are open. You have no choice but to stand in line for an hour.

Government fights fuel smuggling activities

Government fights fuel smuggling activities JAKARTA (JP): The government will establish a joint team comprising state oil and gas company Pertamina, the military, the police force and the General Attorney's Office to fight rampant fuel smuggling activities, a senior government official says.

On Chinese newspapers

On Chinese newspapers It is true that before the reform era Chinese Indonesians were not allowed to hold government and political posts.The Indonesians of Chinese descent were only allowed to work in the economic sector.No one can deny the fact that Indonesia's economy is run by the ethnic Chinese.